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And They're Off... Boston Marathon Underway

BOSTON (CBS/AP) -- The 115th Boston Marathon has begun.

The wheelchair field was first across the starting line Monday morning, followed by the elite women. Then the clock started on the elite men and the sold-out field of 26,964 other runners who are running the 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Boston's Back Bay.

Watch: Boston Marathon Live Stream

Providence's Kim Smith took a big lead to start the Women's race and set a new record for the first six miles by 13 seconds.

It was 46 degrees in Hopkinton at the start with a tailwind of 14 mph. Temperatures were expected to climb into the high 50s and low 60s -- perfect weather that could put the course record in jeopardy. It was set just last year by Kenyan Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot, whose time of 2 hours, 5 minutes, 52 seconds shattered the previous mark by more than a minute.

Read:  Boston Marathon Mile-By-Mile Guide

Ethiopia's Teyba Erkesso is back to defend her women's title.

(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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